What are the Different Types of Braces and Which Type is Right for Me?
Thinking about starting orthodontic treatment? We’re so glad you’re here! At Foundations Orthodontics, we believe straight teeth are the foundation (yep, we went there) of lifelong oral health. But with so many different types of braces and clear aligners on the market today, how do you know which orthodontic treatment to choose? Well, Dr. Renee Moran and her team are here to help you make the best choice for your smile.
As holistic orthodontists in Denver, Granby and Winter Park, we take a different approach to orthodontics. Rather than simply straightening your teeth, we take your whole face into account to provide outstanding results in beauty, health and function. No two mouths are the same and there’s no one-size-fits-all orthodontic treatment plan. Braces might be the perfect choice to straighten one person’s smile while Invisalign fits in better with another patient’s lifestyle.
So if you’re struggling to decide whether to get Invisalign or regular braces or something else entirely, you’re in the right place. In this post, we’ll share:
The different types of braces and clear aligners
The benefits of each type of orthodontic treatment
Who is best suited for each type of treatment
Traditional Metal Braces
What they are: Metal braces are likely the first type of braces that come to mind when you start to consider your options for orthodontic treatment. They’ve been around for longer than any other type of braces and they continue to be the most common choice for teeth straightening. It’s for good reason: traditional braces are incredibly effective at correcting a wide range of orthodontic issues, from mild concerns to the most complex cases. Metal braces used to be big, chunky and, let’s face it, not the most aesthetically pleasing, but fortunately that’s not the case anymore. Here at Foundations Orthodontics we use self-ligating braces which are designed with a small spring-loaded door which closes over the archwire, locking the wire into place without the need for rubber bands. These innovative braces are much more streamlined with smaller brackets, making them less noticeable and more comfortable than old school braces.
How they work: Wondering how braces work exactly? The modern self-ligating metal braces we use at Foundations Orthodontics consist of brackets, which are bonded to the front of your teeth, as well as lightweight, heat-activated archwires. This specialized technology has a lot of advantages including faster treatment times and less overall discomfort, like you would with standard braces.
Who they’re for: Braces are a fantastic teeth straightening system for patients of all ages and with all types of orthodontic conditions. A lot of our younger patients especially love the idea of metal braces because they can customize them with colorful elastics, while older teens and adults may prefer a more discreet orthodontic treatment.
Clear Braces
What they are: If you don’t like the idea of sporting metal brackets and wires, we totally get it. Metal braces aren’t the best choice for everyone and that’s why we also offer clear braces. These ceramic braces use advanced technology to give our Denver, Granby and Winter Park orthodontic patients the trusted straightening power of braces without the metallic sheen!
How they work: Our clear braces brackets are made from a translucent, stain-resistant, durable ceramic material that blends in with your teeth, making them more under the radar than their metal counterparts. The ceramic brackets are also paired with thin, heat-activated archwires that use your body heat to help shift the teeth into place. Again, this means you’ll experience less pain and discomfort throughout your treatment.
Who they’re for: Clear braces are best suited for adults and teens who are looking for a more discreet way to straighten their teeth but need the extra forces that braces provide over aligners or they just don’t want the responsibility of having to remember to keep track of aligners. They function the same as metal braces, and you’ll have to follow the same rules for eating, brushing and flossing as with metal braces, but your hardware will be significantly less visible to the naked eye.
Invisalign Clear Aligners
What they are: Invisalign is to clear aligners what metal braces are to, well, braces. It’s the most recognized and popular clear aligner system on the market. Invisalign uses a series of custom, removable, clear aligners crafted from smooth, BPA-free plastic to gradually shift your teeth into place. The aligners fit snugly and comfortably over your teeth, so most people won’t even notice you’re wearing them.
How they work: When it comes to Invisalign, much of the success of your treatment depends on your orthodontist's treatment plan. It’s important to choose an experienced Denver Invisalign provider to ensure you get all of the cosmetic, functional and oral health benefits. We start the Invisalign process with our dental scanner to take digital impressions of your mouth, which we will then use to create a 3D model of your dental anatomy. Dr. Moran will map out each individual tooth movement directly on this computerized rendering and then send it off to Invisalign where your custom aligners will be made. Every 7-14 days, you’ll switch to a new set of aligners — each pre-programmed based on Dr. Moran’s prescription — until your teeth have made their way into their final positions.
Who they’re for: Invisalign is designed to be virtually invisible, making it a very popular choice among older kids, teens and adults. There’s no need for brackets, wires or metal of any kind with Invisalign. And since you can take the aligners out to eat, drink, brush and floss, they can be easily integrated into any lifestyle.
Invisalign Teen
What it is: Invisalign Teen provides all the same benefits and beautiful results as standard Invisalign, but it’s a specially designed system meant for developing teenage mouths. After all, there’s a big difference in treating someone who has all of their adult teeth and one whose mouth is still growing and changing. Invisalign Teen has accounted for all the unique needs of teenage patients, with features like eruption tabs to accommodate erupting teeth and a few free replacement aligners if needed.
How it works: Invisalign Teen functions in the same way as Invisalign for adults. Dr. Moran will develop a customized treatment plan which will be used to create your child’s personalized set of aligners. Many parents worry that their teens will lose track of their aligners, but we’ve found that our teen patients are amazing at staying on top of their treatment. And if they do inevitably lose an aligner or two, there’s a set number of free replacements built right into their treatment plan.
Who it’s for: While having metal braces used to be a rite of passage for high-school aged kids, it’s no longer necessary to have a mouth full of metal to get straighter teeth. Invisalign Teen is perfect for younger patients who have their 12-year molars, and want straighter teeth and a healthy bite without brackets and wires. Not to mention, there are no food restrictions with Invisalign Teen or special brushing and flossing techniques, so your child is free to live their life as usual!
3M Clarity Aligners
What they are: While Invisalign is the most widely known brand of clear aligners, at Foundations Orthodontics, we use 3M Clarity Aligners for the majority of our clear aligner cases. This innovative Invisalign alternative is only available through a certified specialist in orthodontics, since only orthodontists have the necessary training to move the teeth and correct the bite.
How they work: 3M Clarity Aligners are made of clear, smooth, BPA-free plastic, making them almost invisible and super comfortable. With Clarity’s advanced treatment planning software, Dr. Moran has unparalleled fine-tuning capabilities, allowing her to get your bite exactly how she wants it for the most personalized care and outstanding results. The aligners work by exerting controlled, gentle force that causes the teeth to shift into place, while also aligning the jaw and bite over time.
Who they’re for: Similar to Invisalign, 3M Clarity Aligners are ideal for patients who want to straighten their teeth and get a healthier smile without the need for braces. You can remove the aligners to eat, brush and floss, or even for special occasions, so there’s minimal disruption to your usual routine.
We’re lucky to live in a time when there are so many different types of orthodontic treatment options to choose from. That said, faced with so many choices, we know it can be easy to get overwhelmed. If you’re unsure which type of braces or clear aligners are right for you, or you simply want to chat more in depth about the treatments we offer at Foundations Orthodontics, contact our Denver, Granby or Winter Park orthodontic office today to book a complimentary consultation. We’re always here to help.